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Dear Miramonte Community,
Yesterday the Miramonte Parents’ Club hosted the annual “Mira Mingle” in the Student Union to welcome new parents and families to Miramonte. It was a great turnout and I covered a number of topics and answered some important questions.
Here’s a bit of what was discussed about classes and curriculum at Miramonte:
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Alignment: For the last three years, Miramonte teachers who teach the same course have been working together to create common grading structures, curriculum, lesson plans, units, and assessments that are aligned and consistent. This helps ensure that students receive the same educational experience regardless of who their teacher is, and helps our teachers find and utilize the very best teaching practices and strategies. This year we are doubling down on this work by utilizing more time, funding, and professional development opportunities to help support teachers in this effort.
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Engagement: For the last few years we have partnered with Challenge Success out of Stanford University to track student engagement levels and develop strategies to improve academic engagement. Our teachers and staff are continuing this year to focus on ways to engage students in deeper and more meaningful ways. A few examples of this include:
- Developing more activities, labs, discussions and opportunities for students to actively participate instead of just “sitting and getting.”
- Creating lessons and content that are creative and meaningful to students so that students see and understand how the class will help them grow as a learner and person.
- Focusing on differentiating lesson plans and teaching strategies to meet students where they are at, reach every type of learner, and build connections with individual students.
We have the best faculty I’ve ever worked with and they are truly committed to these goals. If you or your child has any questions about these things, please encourage your child to talk to their teacher or send them an email with your support.
We’ve had a great Spirit Week and our Leadership students and teacher deserve a huge thank you for the time and energy they’ve put into making this a fun and spirited week! Ask your child about today’s rally and tell them to give their friends in Leadership some love for making it a great week for all!
Thanks for reading, see you next week at Back to School Night, and GO MATS!
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Happy Friday Miramonte Families!
I hope everyone is settling into the school year and your students' enjoyed their first Spirit Week! Fall is definitely a busy season and there are lots of exciting events to share.
Parents' Club is hosting a reception on Back-to-School Night Thursday, August 29 from 5:30-6:00 p.m. We will be set up in front of the Gym just before the BTSN Presentation begins. Back to School Night gives us the opportunity to learn more about what is in store for our students’ this year and to meet their teachers- so you definitely want to attend. Don’t forget to bring your Student’s schedule. Boosters will have gear available for purchase too so you can stock up on Spirit Wear for the whole family! We hope you are able to stop by and say hello. We will be joined by Principal, Ben Campopiano, and Associate Principals, Jami Greer and Danny Caravalho. Look forward to seeing you there!
Thank you to our Hospitality Coordinators, Catherine Johnson and Emily Schultz, for organizing the food & drinks for this event. If you are able to lend a hand with set up or bring an item to share, please sign up here.
Order MATS Merch through Sunday, August 25, for September delivery!
Parent Night is also coming up so be sure to mark your calendars for Thursday, September 5. This is an opportunity to attend an informative presentation from Challenge Success as well as meet with individual Grade Levels to connect with School Administrators, Counselors, College & Career Center, Wellness Center, Student Leaders, Class Parent Advisors, and the Parents' Club. This is definitely an important evening you don’t want to miss!
Save the date for our first Parents' Club meeting of the year, "Coffee with Campopiano," on Wednesday, September 18, at 9:30 a.m. in the Student Union. Hear updates from Principal Campopiano and learn more about the year ahead!
Every year our school district awards the Su Stauffer Friends of Education Award to extraordinary volunteers at each school who go above and beyond to make our schools a better place for students. Alissa Lillie, a long-time Parents’ Club board member, was recognized at the last AUHSD board meeting with this award for her many years of service to K-12 schools in Orinda. Alissa served in multiple roles at Miramonte on the Parents’ Club board and spent countless redesigning the furniture in the Student Union, Faculty Lounge, and library. Alissa made Miramonte a better place for students and teachers, and we are tremendously grateful for her always gracious service to our school. Thank you, Alissa!
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August 23: Welcome Back Dance; 7:00-9:00 p.m.
August 24: Class of 2025 Parent Party
August 26-30: Wellness Center Be Kind Week
August 29: Back to School Night; 5:30 to 8:00 p.m.
September 5: Parent Info Night for all classes; 6:00-8:00 p.m.
September 7: Class of 2026 Parent Party
September 11: CCC- Application Nation Senior Parent Presentation, 6:30-7:30pm
September 16-20: Homecoming Week
September 18: Coffee with Campopiano; Parents' Club General Meeting; 8:30 a.m
September 18: CCC-Looking Toward College Junior Parent Presentation, 6:30pm
September 21: Homecoming Dance, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m
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ONE-Miramonte Fundraising | |
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Have you ever wondered why Miramonte families are asked to make a donation to ONE-Miramonte? Are you curious about what your donations help fund at our school?
Earlier this week we shared this email that explains it all.
The truth is that donations are down this year compared to last year at this time. We need every family to make a contribution to ONE-Miramonte in order to maintain the high academic standards our students deserve. Every student benefits from the classes and programs ONE-Miramonte supports.
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Seniors Sign Up to Take the October SAT
Sign up to take the October SAT on Wednesday, October 2 at 7:45 a.m. at Miramonte. Cost is $60 and the deadline to register is Sunday, August 25. Register here
All testers should arrive at their testing room at 7:45am and bring a photo ID, #2 pencils and a calculator. Also download Bluebook to your laptop and bring an approved device.
Testing room numbers will be posted on the board outside of the counseling office.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please email Jennifer Lezcano
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Sophomores and Juniors Sign up to Take the PSAT
Sign up to take the PSAT on October 16 at 7:30 a.m. at Miramonte. Cost is $30 and deadline to register is Friday, September 13. The PSAT is great practice for the SAT, & the scores are more than just a number. With your results you can: See your progress, set a target, and get your AP potential. Sign up here
Download Bluebook to your laptop and bring an approved device.
If you have any further questions or concerns, please email Jennifer Lezcano
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Picture Make Up Day
Picture make up day is Wednesday, September 25. If you did not get your picture taken, please plan on doing this on the 25th. Please follow this LINK to purchase photos.
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Hospitality Volunteers Needed
The Parents Club Hospitality team needs your help with donations and volunteers to help set up for the Back to School Night (BTSN) reception on Thursday, August 29, 5:30-6:00 pm. Please sign up here.
We will also need volunteers to help with the Parents Meeting reception on Thursday, September 5, at 5:30-6:00 p.m. Please sign up here. Thank you in advance!
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Directory Artwork Contest for MHS Students
Miramonte students who love to draw, design, and create are invited to submit an original piece for the cover of this year's directory. Drawings, digital creations, sketches, captured images, etc., are all welcome. The directory parent volunteers will judge all submissions and select the winner. The winner will receive a $100 gift card!
Artwork Submission Details:
● Should be high resolution and show well on an 8.5 x 11 page
● Must be submitted digitally (jpeg or png). No PDF files please.
● Do not include the word "directory" on the artwork
● Deadline to submit is Friday, September 6.
Please send artwork submissions and questions to Anna Miller, Directory Chair
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It was so nice to see students finding their way and settling in this week. The Student Union is a popular place to hang out in the morning before school, and a nice place to hang out after school for kids waiting on sports practices, the bus, or rides.
On Monday, we will be calling in all 9th Grade PE classes to give them an introduction to Wellness services. If you are a parent of a first year student, please ask them about the Student Union and what they learned about Wellness.
Next week is #BeKind week at Miramonte. There will be daily messages, activities and outreach about how much the simple act of being kind benefits others and yourself!
Our theme of Kindness, Connections and Community is meant to encourage students to be kind and build connections so that the Miramonte community is one of inclusivity and belonging!
Follow us at @Miramonte_Wellness, or reach out if you have any questions. Tel: 925-280-3936 or mhswellness@auhsdschools.org
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It’s been so great seeing our students on campus these past weeks and we hope your students have enjoyed the start of their school year!
We are so excited to welcome back Erika Vasquez to the MHS counseling team! Ms. Vasquez was previously at Miramonte and is returning to us part time. She will be on campus Tuesday and Friday due to district staffing decisions and have access to email on the days she is not on campus. Ms. Vasquez will be the counselor for students with last names Mok-Red.
Below is the full counselor breakdown for this school year.
A - Gl
Rebecka Zielinski
Go - Moi
Ellen Conners
Mok - Red
Erika Vasquez
Rei - Z
Sylvie Shawn
Schedule Changes:
-The deadline to add a class is Monday, August 26.
-The deadline to drop a class without it appearing on your transcript is Friday, October 11.
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Seniors
Counselors and the College and Career Center will start senior presentations on Wednesday, August 28, during Academy to go over secondary planning and the college application process. Shortly after, counselors will begin meeting individually with seniors to discuss their post-high school plans!
If your student asked their counselor for a letter of recommendation, both the student and parent brag sheets are due Monday, September 2. As a reminder, these brag sheets are only accessible by counselors and are not visible to teachers.
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College & Career Center News | |
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Meet the 2024-2025 College and Career Center team: Stephanie Brady - Director and College Advisor, Shannon Freeborn - College Advisor, Sara Bretthauer - College Advisor, Ariele Taylor - Essay Advisor, and Abby Coleman - Communications and Marketing Manager. Read more here
Follow us on Instagram @mats.college.career
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Our Mats Merch Fan Shop is now OPEN again and ready for you to show your Matador Pride. Don't wait - it's time to GEAR UP with our new 2024-2025 Mats Merch! New vendor which means new swag! Don't miss out!
Order Class T-shirts, Senior Events t-shirts/tanks, and other Miramonte Spirit Wear by Sunday, August 25, and your order will be ready for pick up by mid September. Look for an email with pick-up instructions.
As a reminder, the student-designed class t-shirts change every year, and your students will definitely want one to show off their class spirit at the legendary Friday rallies and so many other class events! ORDER TODAY
Questions about Mats Merch? Please reach out to Charlene Robinson
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Ready for the first game of the season with your Boosters Membership? Booster member cards enable access to all Miramonte home regular season sporting events click here to join today!
Follow the Boosters Club on Instagram @miramonteathletics
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Class of 2025 Reminders
2025 Senior Parent Kickoff Party
Saturday, August 24, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m.. Hosted by: Lisa & Andy LaVelle
Tickets: $55 each Purchase tickets here
Questions? Please contact Jessica Elkind
Homecoming T-Shirts
Homecoming is just around the corner! The Senior Class Leadership students designed a t-shirt for our class. Theme and design to be revealed soon! Get yours today! Store closes at midnight on Monday, August 26.
Senior Photos
Seniors who have not taken their senior photos will need to make an appointment to do so. Follow this LINK to make an appointment and purchase packages. You do not need to purchase a package to be in the yearbook, but we do need your photo taken to be included in the yearbook.
Questions? Contact the Class of 2025 Parent Advisors
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Class of 2027 Reminders
Homecoming is right around the corner! Our class officers have completed the design of the Hoco class t-shirt and it is now available to order - just $20!
Visit the MHS Webstore here and place your order. Deadline to order is Monday, August 26. And remember, the design is a surprise!
Questions? Contact the Class of 2027 Parent Advisors
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Next AUHSD Board Meeting
The next AUHSD Board Meeting is on Wednesday, September 11. The agenda will be posted here on Sunday, September 8 . The meeting is held at the district office, with the public portion beginning at 7:00 p.m. You may also watch the live broadcast here.
The upcoming board meetings for the rest of 2024 are on the following Wednesdays: October 16, November 6, November 20, and December 18.
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This summer, Miramonte students and teachers journeyed through Europe together for an educational adventure to Berlin, Prague, Krakow, and Budapest Read more here | |
Connect with the Parents' Club: | | | | |
